Disposable device for sterilizing solutions



July 17, 1962 R. C. CRlSAFl DISPOSABLE DEVICE FOR STERILIZING SOLUTIONS 44 m I, n? i /i i 40 F|G.2 42- l6 rt X INVENTOR ROBERT C. CRISAFI ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,044,500 DISPOSABLE DEVICE FOR STEIZING SOLUTEONS Robert C. Crisafi, Swampscott, Mass. (455 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington Center, Mass.) Filed Feb. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 792,862 1 Claim. (Cl. 141-85) This invention relates to a new and improved disposable sterilizing device particularly adapted. for quickly and easily sterilizing solutions and particularly ophthalmic solutions and the like in small quantities. Whereas it is a relatively easy matter to sterilize solutions and particularly ophthalmic solutions in large quantities when the same are about to be bottled for distribution, it has been very impractical to sterilize such solutions and prescriptions in small amounts ordinarily dispensed by the pharmacist. It is pointed out that it is easy for prescriptions and solutions of this nature to become contaminated, even though the pharmacist may use extreme care in mixing and bottling the materials, because the components of the solution may have become contaminated in storage, the container in which the prescription is to be placed may have become contaminated, and when the usual stirring rod or dropper is placed on a table, the same may become contaminated thereby.

The present invention provides a relatively small, simple and inexpensive disposable device completely overcoming all of the objections to the impracticability of sterilizing such prescriptions and solutions in small quantities; the provision of a device as above stated which involves the use of a sterilizing filter such as is commercially available at the present time; and the provision of a package containing the sterilizing device, filter, and

container for the prescription or solution as well as a 'FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a kit including the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation on an enlarged scale, partly in section, illustrating the use of the device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the device;

FIG. 4 is a view in section illustrating the cap and tip; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the filter device, looking in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 3.

In illustrating the present invention, the same has been shown as comprising a complete filtering and pharmaceutical container as shown in FIG. 1 and including a combined cap and applicator tip, all being placed in a package of substantially impervious glassine or plastic material 12. The entire package is then sterilized by any method that is suitable, such as electron irradiation or gas sterilization, so that all the parts are maintained in a sterile atmosphere for shipment and storage until the same is used when the material 12 is of course disrupted and the parts utilized as described below.

As shown best in 'FIG. 3, the pharmaceutical container may include a bottle 14 which is made of glass or plastic and if made of plastic may be a squeeze bottle of well known type. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the bottle is provided with a reduced neck having an external threaded portion 16.

When the kit is received, the 'bottle 14 is already associated with a sterilizing filter holding member including a disc-like device 18 having an annular or similar flange surrounding the same as at 20. There is a central down- 3,644,500 Patented July 17, 1962 wardly extending apertured spout or the like 22 which snugly fits into the interior of the bottleneck at 24, and as shown in FIG. 1, the bottle 14 is provided with this device associated therewith. A vent 25 is provided at the exterior of the spout. Within the flange 20, there is a step 26' which is also in the shape of the flange 20 but forms an interior projection therein for the purpose of supporting the filter itself indicated at 28. Within the step 26, there may be provided a smaller supporting washer, pad, or the like of heavy paper or similar material 30.

The filter 28 may be of any suitable commercial sterilizing filtering paper now available, and one form of such filter paper marketed under the trade name Millipore has been found to be very successfully used for this purpose. This filter has a calculated pore size of about 0.45 microns or less.

A container enclosure generally indicated at 32 is formed with a lower rim or the like 34 for reception within flange 20 and pressing upon the outer peripheral edge of the annular filter paper member 28, holds the same in position. The member 32 is provided with a topmost extension 36 having an aperture therein at 38 for a purpose to be described.

It will be seen that the parts shown in FIG. 3 in exploded condition actually nest together as shown in FIG. 2, and the parts thus far described are illustrated in -FIG. 1 in assembled relation in the kit, together, however, with a novel cap and applicator tip arrangement to be described.

In the use of the device, a pump or syringe generally indicated at 40' is actuated to draw the solution thereinto. The package is then opened, and the tip of the syringe indicated at 42 is then inserted in the opening 38 in the tip 36 of the container member 32, whereupon the plunger 44 of the syringe is actuated to express the contents thereof in sterile condition into the container 32. A cap can be used -for the opening 38 and is easily removed for the operation.

Container 32 is clearly sterile, having not been touched within at all, and the fluid material is then forced through the filter 28 and also of course the pad or underlying member 3t) is present, through the opening in the tip 22 of the device 18 and thence of course into the container 14, which also is sterile due to its being maintained in a sterile condition in the package 10.

As soon as the prescription or solution has been projected into the container, the syringe 40 is removed and then the container 32, together with member 18, is removed from the neck of the bottle and thrown away.

The novel sterile cap and applicator tip may then be applied, this being shown in FIG. 4. The cap is generally indicated by the reference numeral 46 and is closed at one end, being open at the other end as clearly shown in FIG. 4. The open end is provided with interior threads 48 corresponding to those at 16. Within the cap there is lightly frictio-nally held a generally cylindrical member 50 having a small tip 52 if desired and an interior passage as for instance at 54 extending from end to end. Opposite the tip 52, the member 5% is provided with a downwardy extending projection 56 which tightly fits the interior wall 24 of the neck of the bottle.

When the bottle has been filled, the exterior portion of the cap is held in the fingers and it is applied to the neck of the bottle by screwing it onto the thread 16, whereupon the extension 56 is forced into the neck of the bottle and is very tightly held therein. Although the applicator tip 56 is thus held within the cap 46 by friction, the frictional contact between applicator tip 59 and the interior of the cap is not as great as the frictional contact between the projection 56 and the interior wall 24 of the neck of the bottle. Therefore when the cap 46' has been screwed down tightly, the applicator tip 50 is securely mounted in the neck of the bottle and will not Work free. This is true even though the cap 46 is repeatedly screwed on and off the neck of the bottle. It will be seen that this construction provides an applicator tip which is never touched by the hands in any Way after the package of FIG. I has been sterilized, and thereused. Also after use, the filter is thrown away, and the solution is then presented sterile to the patient. The presg enti invention as to the filtering apparatus may be used 'With or without the applicator tip and cap, but it will be seen that this applicator tip and cap is also a novel sterile device for. the use-indicated.

The inventionis not limited to size, shape, or materials, but is particularly adapted to small batch sterilization not readily possible in the prior art. Many eye infections traceable to non-sterile ophthalmic solutions can thus be completely avoided at small cost and little trouble, and small amounts of injections, prescriptions, etc.

are presented to the patient in conditionfor safer use than in the prior Also of course the sterilizing device is capable of use in other relations than in combination with the particular container herein disclosed.

Cit

Having thus described my invention and the adv-antages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

A disposable pre-sterilized filtering device comprising a filter paper holder, at filter paper therein, means on said holder at one side of the filter paper for attaching the holder to a separate sterile container and for venting the container to atmosphere, a separate closure member for the holder at the opposite side of the filter paper, said separate closure holding the paper to the filter paper holder, said closure having an opening for the reception of a separate syringe having a tip tightly fitting the opening, said syringe forcing liquid to be filtered into the closure member and through the filter paper into the separate container, said filter paper and the holder therefor then being manually and simultaneously removable from the container and being disposable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,641,323 Ferdinand Sept. 6, 1927 7 1,892,788 Schwartz Ian. 3, 1933 2,356,505 Christensen Aug. 22, 1944 7 2,518,081' 'Sharat Aug. 8, 1950 2,751,131 Nyden June 19, 1956 2,775,350 Jones Dec. 25, 1956 2,807,288 Shea Sept. 24, 1957 

